Embalse del Encinarejo, embalse de 15 hectómetros cúbicos de capacidad, situado en el Parque natural de la Sierra de Andújar, provincia de Jaén, España
Embalse del Encinarejo is a large reservoir near Andújar in southern Spain, surrounded by green forests and open land. The concrete dam holds back the water to supply agriculture and local communities while also managing river flow during rainy periods.
The reservoir was built in the 1920s to harness the Jándula River and secure water and power for the region. The construction effort led to the creation of a workers' settlement called La Lancha, whose ruins remain visible near the dam today.
The name Encinarejo refers to the cork oak forests that frame the area. Visitors come to fish, walk the paths, and watch for wildlife, making it a place where locals and travelers connect with nature and take a break from daily routines.
The area is easily accessible from Andújar by forest roads with adequate parking near the dam. Visitors should bring comfortable shoes, plenty of water, and sun protection, especially when planning to walk the paths around the water.
The ruins of La Lancha, a workers' settlement near the dam, reveal remnants of houses, a church, a cinema, and a hospital built during construction. This abandoned village offers a rare glimpse into daily life during the 1920s building project.
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